Greece Travel Guide
May–June and September–October: warm sea, open islands and none of the August crush.
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Greece at a glance
Best time to visit Greece
May–June and September–October: warm sea, open islands and none of the August crush.
Peak: Mid-July to late August — Greek and European holidays overlap, and ferry and Santorini/Mykonos prices peak.
Shoulder season: May and late September: most services open, prices well down.
Visa and entry
Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Greece uses the EUR (€).
10% at restaurants is appreciated. Taxis: round up. Not expected at fast food or bakeries.
Getting around
An Athens 90-minute ticket is €1.20 and a 24-hour pass €4.10. The 3-day tourist ticket (€20) includes both airport metro journeys.
When a pass pays off: The 24-hour pass beats singles from about 4 rides. The 3-day tourist ticket mainly earns its keep because the airport metro fare alone is €9 each way.
Local etiquette
Do
- Validate your ticket in the machine when boarding Athens transport.
- Dress modestly for monasteries — Meteora lends wraps at the entrance.
- Book summer ferries ahead; popular routes sell out.
Avoid
- Don't flush toilet paper — older plumbing means it goes in the bin.
- Don't expect dinner much before 9 pm.
- Don't schedule an island ferry for the morning of your flight home; wind cancellations happen, so leave a buffer day.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Friendly-stranger bar invitations near Syntagma that end with a very large bill.
- Drivers claiming the meter is broken or your hotel is full — insist on the meter, or use the FreeNow taxi app.
- Scooter and ATV hire on the islands with damage claims and thin insurance.
Health
No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Greece. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| dinner | 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:30 PM |
Useful Greek phrases
English is widely spoken across tourist Greece; the alphabet is a bigger obstacle than the language.
- Hello
- Γειά σας (Yia sas)(YAH-sas)
- Thank you
- Ευχαριστώ (Efharistó)(ef-ha-ri-STOH)
- Excuse me
- Συγγνώμη (Signómi)(sig-NO-mee)
- How much is this?
- Πόσο κάνει;(PO-so KA-ni)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Greece: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Greece travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Greece?
- May–June and September–October: warm sea, open islands and none of the August crush.
- Do I need a visa to visit Greece?
- Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Greece?
- 10% at restaurants is appreciated. Taxis: round up. Not expected at fast food or bakeries.
- What currency is used in Greece?
- Greece uses the EUR (€).
- What power plug and voltage does Greece use?
- Greece uses Type C and Type F sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Greece?
- In Greece, call 100 (police) / 166 (ambulance) / 199 (fire) / 112 (EU universal).
- What time zone is Greece in?
- Greece is in the Europe/Athens time zone (UTC+02:00).
- What language is spoken in Greece?
- The main language is Greek. English is widely spoken across tourist Greece; the alphabet is a bigger obstacle than the language.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Greece?
- An Athens 90-minute ticket is €1.20 and a 24-hour pass €4.10. The 3-day tourist ticket (€20) includes both airport metro journeys. The 24-hour pass beats singles from about 4 rides. The 3-day tourist ticket mainly earns its keep because the airport metro fare alone is €9 each way.
- What health precautions should I take in Greece?
- No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Greece. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Greece itineraries
Plan a Greece trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Greece tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.